Parra Oppidum degli Orobi

About the museum

In Parre, in the upper Seriana Valley, in the Castello locality, excavations have brought to light the remains of a settlement that ancient sources call Parra and that Pliny the Elder mentions in his “Naturalis Historia”. It was an oppidum, that is, an important centre, of the Orobi, the peoples who in the Iron Age inhabited the Lombard valleys from Como to the Serio river.

The settlement stood on a river terrace in a naturally defended position, suited to controlling routes and resources. It existed from the 11th century BC to the late Roman period (5th century AD), with a break in the first two centuries AD. From the end of the Bronze Age, Parre was a centre for collecting and working metals.

The Antiquarium, in Piazza San Rocco, displays a selection of the finds: pottery, bronze and glass ornaments, stone tools, objects in bone and horn, and coins. The route is chronological, with a section on metalworking and bilingual Italian–English panels. From the museum, staff accompany visitors to the nearby archaeological park, where the remains of houses of the “casa alpina” type can be seen.

Highlights

• Antiquarium with finds of the Iron Age Orobi
• Section on ancient metalworking
• Archaeological park with the remains of sunken rectangular houses (“casa alpina”)
• Find bearing the inscription of Piuot and Katua
• Bilingual Italian–English explanatory panels

Permanent exhibitions

• Antiquarium – Finds from the excavations at the Castello locality, from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, with a section on metalworking.
• Parco archeologico – Remains of the houses of the Orobi oppidum, from the 11th century BC to the late Roman period.

Visitors per year

approx. 1,501

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Access to the Antiquarium and the archaeological park has no architectural barriers, and the museum has toilets for people with disabilities. The Oppidum takes part in the project “Ospitalità senza barriere”.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

For children there are routes and hands-on workshops based on play and experimentation; the site also offers the section “Gioca con gli Orobi”.

Getting there & parking

By car from the A4 motorway, take the Bergamo exit, then the SP 35 through the Valle Seriana; at the junction for Clusone follow the signs for Parre. The nearest airport is Orio al Serio.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit